German · Real conversations
How to say “I need more time.” in German
Explain that the current time allowance is insufficient.
Ich brauche mehr Zeit.
I need more time.
Give a realistic proposed time when the other person needs a decision.
Use it in three situations
A project discussion
Ich brauche mehr Zeit.
I need more time.
A difficult task
Ich brauche mehr Zeit, um das zu prüfen.
I need more time to check this.
A delivery update
Könnte ich einen Tag mehr haben?
Could I have one more day?
What to watch for
The statement expresses a need but does not itself establish a new deadline.
Read the whole expression before replacing a detail. The natural wording may use a different order or construction from the English sentence.
Your turn
Imagine work updates. Say this in German: I need more time to check this.
Reveal a sample reply
Ich brauche mehr Zeit, um das zu prüfen.
I need more time to check this.
Build a useful exchange
Explain progress and agree on a priority.
This expression in other languages
A note on speaking German
Use Sie for formal address and du with people you address informally. Könnten Sie …? is a useful polite request. Keep noun capitals and the verb position shown in each complete sentence.
The examples preserve German accents and ß. Read a full sentence before replacing a detail: a subordinate clause can move the verb to the end, and case can change an article or pronoun.
